Navajo Code Talker Adolf Nagurski, who was posthumously awarded the Congressional Silver Medal this week.
“Our Navajo Code Talkers survived some of the worst conflicts in the Pacific. We honor them,” Navajo Nation President Begaye said. “We do the same with Adolf Nagurski. We honor his service to the nation.”
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) presented the Congressional Silver Medal to Nagurski’s son, Benjamin. The senator and his staff were instrumental in giving Nagurski the recognition he deserves.
According to Sen. Heinrich, in October 2017, Benjamin Nagurski asked the senator for his help in getting his father’s Congressional Silver Medal.
“Adolf was supposed to receive this prestigious medal at a ceremony in Window Rock in 2001,” Sen. Heinrich said. “Because of health issues, he was unable to attend. We are here today to honor this hero.”
In his address, President Begaye spoke about the significance of speaking Navajo. The president noted that many Navajo elders were prohibited from speaking their language in school.
President Begaye said that by speaking Navajo, a person is able to evaluate a situation from two world views.
“We were told that if you spoke this language, you would never achieve anything in life,” he said.
Coincidentally, it’s this very language that formed an unbreakable code that was critical to winning the war in the Pacific during World War II, Sen. Heinrich said.
“We all owe a great debt of gratitude to the Navajo Code Talkers,” he said. “New Mexico has an incredibly proud story to tell about protecting our nation, and the Navajo Code Talkers are central to that part of history.”
Benjamin Nagurski said his father was very traditional in his views about war.
“He said you’re either at total peace or total war. When he was in this mode, he was a warrior. When he came home, he left it all behind,” Benjamin said.
Like many Navajo Code Talkers, Nagurski remained private about his service.
President Begaye thanked Sen. Heinrich for his efforts in having the Code Talker officially awarded the Congressional Silver Medal.
“I appreciate the efforts of the senator and the family in making sure recognition occurred,” President Begaye said. “As President of the Navajo Nation, I salute Navajo Code Talker Adolf Nagurski.”